June 2014
As the plane descended into Keflavik, massive fields of lupine spread out as far as the eye could see. In the days to come, these lush purple dominated the greener landscapes of Iceland that we saw.
Originally from Alaska, the lupines were introduced to Iceland in the 1940s. They grew like wildfire and are now considered to be an invasive species in Iceland.
14 June 2014. Krafla area, Mývatn region, north Iceland.
The many faces of Iceland are beguiling. At times dramatic and imposing. At times stark and desolate. At times placid and beautiful. At times wild and grotesque. The land of fire and ice is a place of contradictions. Life goes on in such inhospitable conditions.
What started out as a pee stop, turned out to be a 3 hour detour on foot around this stunning area of Leirhnjúkur, part of the Krafla caldera.
In Leirhnjúkur lava field, I lost my sole.
After seeing the world for 5 years together, my boots fell apart here in Iceland.
Still, that didn’t deter a walk up to Viti crater.
This is one of the views from Viti crater.
From Myvatn, we drove east to Egilsstaðir. As if the feast on landscapes for the day is not enough, every turn of the way brought us through steep passes and more stunning scenery. Then we just had to stop here.
We got to Egilsstaðir, and saw a vertical rainbow; peter tells me it’s a sun dog. In June here in Iceland, it’s 23 hours of day light, magnificent sights and raw beauty.
12th & 13th June 2014. Svalbardseyri, Northern Iceland.
My favourite time of the day is dusk, when everything is drenched in gold and coated in pink. Here and now, sunset takes even longer. 23 hours of sunlight a day. It’s like a never-ending feast.
View of lighthouse by the fjord from the cottage where we are staying in Svalbardseyri.
Rare it is to see both the midnight sun and midnight moon.
This is Peter playing Sunset, an English traditional bugle call. Perhaps the last time Iceland heard this was during WWII?
As I am writing this it’s almost midnight and the sun is setting long windedly. June is the month of long days in this part of the world.
This photo was taken at about 10pm in the city centre of Reykjavik.
Earlier today, we soaked in the Blue Lagoon which is rather industrialised and swarmed with people. As public thermal pools go, it isn’t quite the best I have been too, but I had loads of fun with my friends!
The skies have been ever changing since we got here. Just look at the thick overcast closing in on the bright blue.
plum era 